Bethlehem police seek robbery suspect considered armed and dangerous

Bethlehem police are looking for a 19-year-old man considered armed and dangerous as a suspect in a Tuesday night robbery at a gas station, and said he could be connected to other holdups in the city.

Police issued an arrest warrant for Jose Gonzalez, whose nickname is Boobie, in a robbery around 6:30 p.m. at Square One Exxon, 1125 W. Broad St.

According to police, Gonzalez entered the store, pulled out a revolver and ordered the clerk to the floor. Police said Gonzalez opened the register and stole an undetermined amount of cash before running out.

Gonzalez was recognized by witnesses who saw him running out of the gas station, police said. No one was hurt. Gonzalez faces charges of robbery, simple assault, theft, receiving stolen property and carrying a firearm without a license.

Gonzalez could also be connected with an attempted armed robbery that happened around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

That heist happened at the Holy Infancy Gift Shop, 324 E. Fourth St. Police said a man armed with a black revolver with a "long, skinny" barrel entered the shop and ordered the 71-year-old clerk to the floor.

Police said the clerk told the man the register was empty because she had just made a deposit. Police said when the man opened the register and found no cash, he ran from the store.

The description given matches Gonzalez, but investigators are still looking at the case, Bethlehem police Detective William Dosedlo said.

Gonzalez may also be linked to a third robbery at 6:15 p.m. Friday in which a shot was fired during a robbery at Purity Beverage, 708 E. Fifth St. Police said a man dressed in black and with his face covered by a scarf pulled a revolver and fired a shot at the clerk.

The man stole $100 and fired the shot when the owner of the business walked in, police said. No one was hit.

Police warn that Gonzalez should not be approached and anyone who sees him should call 911. Anyone with information on Gonzalez may call Detective Brad Jones at 610-865-7146.